News Update
November 19, 2012
I Am Angus Season Premiere Broadcasts Nov. 19
America’s farms, ranches and the communities that surround them are considered by many as the country’s last, best places. They are a direct connection to the past; an essential venture for the future. The hard-working cattlemen who call these places home are committed to preserving the rural way of life and raising quality beef for consumers. Join the American Angus Association as it travels to these captivating areas in its hour-long documentary, I Am Angus.
Beginning its fourth season, I Am Angus premieres at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) Monday, Nov. 19 on RFD-TV. A second broadcast is set for 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central) Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. Produced entirely by the Association, the upcoming episode explores the golden age of the cattle business and how ranchers continue to serve as stewards of the land.
“The I Am Angus premiere episode takes us back to historic Chicago, and how the area shaped modern agriculture as we know it,” says Eric Grant, Association public relations and communications director. “We also feature ranchers from the open spaces of South Dakota, to the rolling hills of Oklahoma. It’s an entertaining look inside today’s cattle industry.”
I Am Angus focuses on the heart of the Angus cattle business — its people, their heritage and why they are involved in agriculture. The hour-long documentary series explores each corner of the beef industry, Angus heritage, and how animal agriculture meets the challenge of feeding a growing population.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Angus Foundation Encourages Participation in
‘The $75,000 Card Challenge’
In “The $75,000 Card Challenge,” for every new and activated American Angus Association Platinum Visa booked, Intrust Bank will make a $100 donation to the Angus Foundation to help support Angus education, youth and research programs. Most people use a credit card anyway, and by simply opening a new card account and activating that card by making $100 in purchases within 30 days, Angus producers and other Angus enthusiasts are making an easy contribution to support the future of the breed.
If 300 more cards are activated through the end of this year, making a total of 500 new activated accounts, Intrust Bank will add a $25,000 donation. This makes the program worth $75,000 for the Angus Foundation. Go to www.angusfoundation.org and click on “Angus Credit Card Application” to learn more.
Poston Approved as Dean of MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fred Poston, Michigan State University’s vice president for finance and operations, was appointed dean of the university’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and special adviser to the president.
His appointment was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 26 meeting. The appointment will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.
Poston succeeds Douglas Buhler, who has served as interim dean since January 2011. Poston will return to the college where he served as dean for eight years (1991-1998).
“We are very grateful that Dr. Poston has agreed to return to the college where he began his MSU career,” said MSU President Lou Anna Simon. “He brings to the position his knowledge of our land-grant mission, a strong awareness of the needs of Michigan’s agriculture community, and, of course, familiarity with the college.
“I’d also like to thank Interim Dean Doug Buhler, who guided the college with a sure and steady hand through challenging times.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference
Dec. 1 at Ogallala
Speakers from Nebraska and North Dakota will share their expertise in integrating crop and livestock enterprises, and provide advice about strengthening an operation and reducing risk, at the Annual Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference set for Dec. 1 at Ogallala, Neb.
The conference will take place at the Quality Inn, 201 Chuckwagon Road, from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.
Preregistration is due by Nov. 27. To download a brochure and registration form, go to www.ckb.unl.edu.
For more information about the conference or exhibitor booths, contact Extension Educator Karen DeBoer at the UNL Extension Office in Sidney; telephone 308-254-4455; or email kdeboer1@unl.edu.
Sponsors include University of Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) and Organic Crop Improvement Association Nebraska Chapter 2.
Keynote speaker Ken Miller’s topic is “Crop and Livestock Diversity to Improve Soil Health.” Miller will relate his decades of experience in North Dakota with rotational grazing and use of cover crops, including cover crop “cocktail” blends.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Finding Common Ground Improving Animal and
Worker Health and Welfare
Changing economic conditions and societal drivers have an impact on how food animals are raised. The growing world population and growing global middle class are driving increased demand for food and, specifically, for animal protein.
Meeting this rising demand for a safe and affordable food supply includes consideration of production practices for efficiently rearing food animals. Societal concern about the welfare of livestock recently has driven some government and private sector policy regarding animal agriculture practices, with the focus being on changes in systems of production, particularly housing methods.
Largely absent from this discussion is consideration of the role of, and the impact on, the people who have primary responsibility for the care of these animals — the agriculture worker. Whether they are the owner/operator, a family member or hired employees, the people who work in animal agriculture are exposed to known, but preventable, risks for injury and illness. While managing these risks can conflict with animal welfare standards, changes could benefit both the animals and the workers.
Tough issues like improving animal and worker health and welfare require a broad perspective, an inquisitive mind and a commitment to collaboration. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership, Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership, and Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center invite you to participate in the fourth “Finding Common Ground” forum designed to foster conversation among participants with diverse perspectives to discover and advance a common good. Participants from academia, media, industry, intergovernmental, nongovernmental and governmental organizations will examine this issue in a neutral forum that considers multiple perspectives.
For more information and the full release, click here.
NFU to Congress: There Are Two Sides to a Balance Sheet
As Congress prepares legislation related to the fiscal cliff, National Farmers Union (NFU) urges Congress to take action on tax reform in addition to spending reductions.
“There has been a lot of discussion recently about the impending cuts that could occur during sequestration. However, that’s only half of the matter,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The best way to deal with the deficit is to sensibly raise revenues and to reduce expenditures — not just one or the other.”
NFU supports continuing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for those who earn less than $200,000 per year, or $250,000 for married couples, while allowing the reductions for those who earn more than that to expire. Allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to end for the top 2% of earners will raise $849 billion over the next 10 years to put towards deficit reduction.
Congress must also act in order to make sure that more middle-class families and individuals are not required to pay higher taxes due to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Previous fixes have been passed to index the AMT to inflation, and Congress needs to work together in order to make sure that happens again.
The estate tax also requires Congressional action in order to remain effective and fair.
“The estate tax is an important part of our federal tax code, and it stands to reason that it be continued. However, it needs to be set at a level that is not overly burdensome,” said Johnson. “We look forward to working with Congress and the president to make sure a workable compromise can be reached.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
MU Expert Offers Tips to Reduce Families’ Holiday Stress
Hundreds of dollars in spending and calendars overloaded with extra events and commitments can turn the holiday season from merry to miserable for many Americans. A University of Missouri (MU) Extension specialist offers tips to help families reduce stress during the holiday season.
Lucy Schrader is the coordinator for the MU Extension Building Strong Families Program, which helps families build on their strengths to improve their relationships. More than 22,000 adults and nearly 6,000 youth in 11 states have participated in the program.
“Families are dynamic and they aren’t perfect,” Schrader said. “The holidays are a high-stress time due to more obligations on the calendar, the blending of cultures or families who may not get along, overwhelming financial stress and high expectations for traditions.”
Schrader says National Families Week from Nov. 18-24 is the perfect time for families to practice communication techniques before the holiday season gets busier. She suggests one way that families can spend more time together is to participate in the Million Minute Challenge, a grassroots effort that encourages face-to-face time among families and friends, during National Game and Puzzle Week, which is also next week.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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